Those who believe in the precautionary principle and therefore wish to prevent themselves from any damage that mobile phone might do to their health will already know that it is better to text that to speak, better to use a speak-a-phone than to hold the phone to your ear and never, if possible, to have long conversations on your mobile.
But there are occasions when none of these precautions are possible and when you do need to have that conversation – and for those a hands-free kit seemed to be the answer. Except that there was some doubt that it helped much as the wire/cable carrying the signal still ran right up beside, and indeed into, your ear.
However, a new design of hands-free kit from EMFields, one of the most authoritative companies supplying shielding devices for those who are electrically sensitive, converts the electrical signal into harmless air waves before it gets anywhere near your head, thereby minimising SAR radiation. Indeed they claim that it reduces it by 99% compared to normal phone use. Does this make sense, I asked my electronics/audio expert? Yes, I was told – perfect sense. So, go for it!
The Air Tube hands-free kit (delivers crystal clear sounds, fits an iPhone and most Blackberries and has been tested in Europe, the USA and Japan….) costs £25 (inc VAT) direct from EMFields. I shall give them to everyone for Christmas!!
Many people use external earpieces with their mobile ‘phones in the mistaken belief that this keeps the mobile’s radiation away from their head and ear in particular. Actually it doesn’t help very much if at all because the metal cable and earphone act as an antenna which conducts radiation directly into the ear. Not a good idea.
With the airtube, the transducer is close to the ‘phone and sound waves are conducted to the ear using a plastic tube which carries no radiation and is therefore much safer.